Big plays lead Bruce Trojans to win over Baldwyn Bearcats

BRUCE – Bruce big-played Baldwyn right out of Calhoun County on Friday night in a 48-17 division win.
The Trojans scored seven touchdowns, and only one was less than 31 yards. Shaq Bush caught three of Davis Brown’s five touchdown passes on catches of 18, 42 and 76 yards, and the Trojans scored on an interception and fumble return.
“We had big plays, and that’s what we are. We’re a big-play team,” Bruce coach James Ray said. “I’m proud of our guys. That’s just another step.”
With two Division 1-2A games left, the Journal’s top-ranked Trojans (7-2, 3-0) control their destiny. No. 5 Baldwyn fell to 5-4, 2-1.
Bruce scored the first of its four first-quarter touchdowns on a 73-yard pass to Terrance Jones.
“The receivers made some big plays, and that set the tone,” Brown said. “The defense played lights out.”
After the 42-yarder to Bush, Rashad Turner picked a screen and went 31 yards for a 20-0 lead.
Bush had 146 yards on four catches. Brown was 9 of 14 for 262 yards.
Baldwyn’s Laquintez Upshaw went 88 yards on the ensuing kick for the Bearcats’ first score.
Bruce responded in 24 seconds as Bush took the first pass 76 yards for a 27-7 lead with 3 seconds left in the quarter.
“We talked about that all week, big plays and turnovers against a really good football team. If you don’t control those, you’re in for a long night,” Baldwyn coach Michael Gray said.
Baldwyn saw two chances to stay close dissolve in the second. An 11-play drive that took 6 minutes, 20 seconds ended at the Bruce 14. Baldwyn got it right back on Duke Upshaw’s interception, but that drive ended when Darrian Sullivan scooped up a fumble and went 65 yards for a 34-7 lead.
The Trojans had two plays in the quarter. Baldwyn ended the half with Javier Diaz’s 42-yard field goal.
Marbrecio Crump picked Brown in the third quarter, but Baldwyn’s drive ended on a botched fake punt at the Bruce 45. Brown answered with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Donta Armstrong. Baldwyn scored on Bradley Boose’s 69-yard touchdown.
Bruce’s last score came on Brown’s 18-yard pass to Bush.
brandon.speck@journalinc.com